मनमोहन सिंह का नागरिक अभिनंदन करने को तैयार: रामदेव

योगगुरु बाबा रामदेव ने सरकार के प्रति नरम रुख जताते हुए कहा कि केंद्र ने विदेशों में जमा कालेधन को राष्ट्रीय संपत्ति घोषित करने के मुद्दे पर लिखित आश्वासन दे दिया तो हम इसका श्रेय सरकार को देंगे और प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह को रामलीला मैदान में नागरिक अभिनंदन के लिए आमंत्रित करेंगे.

रामदेव ने कहा कि हमारी सरकार या किसी राजनीतिक दल से कोई शत्रुता नहीं है और यदि केंद्र की कांग्रेस नीत सरकार हमारी मांगों को मान लेती है तो हम उसे इसका श्रेय देंगे.

उन्होंने रामलीला मैदान के मंच से वहां मौजूद लोगों को संबोधित करते हुए कहा, ‘‘यदि देश के ईमानदार प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह कालेधन को राष्ट्रीय संपत्ति घोषित करने पर कार्रवाई करते हैं तो हम उन्हें यहां नागरिक अभिनंदन के लिए बुलाएंगे.’’

उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि मनमोहन सिंह गठबंधन की राजनीति के चलते मजबूर हैं. उन्होंने साथ ही यह चेतावनी भी दी कि देशभर में जनता में भ्रष्टाचार को लेकर बहुत आक्रोश है और यदि इसे दबाने की कोशिश हुई और देश में कुछ भी हुआ तो उसके लिए बाबा रामदेव जिम्मेदार नहीं होगा.

मनमोहन सिंह का नागरिक अभिनंदन करने को तैयार: रामदेव

योगगुरु बाबा रामदेव ने सरकार के प्रति नरम रुख जताते हुए कहा कि केंद्र ने विदेशों में जमा कालेधन को राष्ट्रीय संपत्ति घोषित करने के मुद्दे पर लिखित आश्वासन दे दिया तो हम इसका श्रेय सरकार को देंगे और प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह को रामलीला मैदान में नागरिक अभिनंदन के लिए आमंत्रित करेंगे.

रामदेव ने कहा कि हमारी सरकार या किसी राजनीतिक दल से कोई शत्रुता नहीं है और यदि केंद्र की कांग्रेस नीत सरकार हमारी मांगों को मान लेती है तो हम उसे इसका श्रेय देंगे.

उन्होंने रामलीला मैदान के मंच से वहां मौजूद लोगों को संबोधित करते हुए कहा, ‘‘यदि देश के ईमानदार प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह कालेधन को राष्ट्रीय संपत्ति घोषित करने पर कार्रवाई करते हैं तो हम उन्हें यहां नागरिक अभिनंदन के लिए बुलाएंगे.’’

उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि मनमोहन सिंह गठबंधन की राजनीति के चलते मजबूर हैं. उन्होंने साथ ही यह चेतावनी भी दी कि देशभर में जनता में भ्रष्टाचार को लेकर बहुत आक्रोश है और यदि इसे दबाने की कोशिश हुई और देश में कुछ भी हुआ तो उसके लिए बाबा रामदेव जिम्मेदार नहीं होगा.

Pranab convenes meet to discuss Ramdev demands

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday convened a meeting of senior ministers to further discuss the demands of Baba Ramdev who is on a hunger strike demanding immediate measures to get back the black money stashed away abroad.

The meeting comes shortly after the Baba took a two-hour break from his protest to discuss issues with government representatives on various issues related to his demands.

Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Subodh Kant Sahay, Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K. A. Nair were in the meeting called by Mr. Mukherjee in his North Block office.

Meanwhile, back-channel talks are on to resolve the stand-off in the wake of Baba Ramdev’s agitation.

Pranab convenes meet to discuss Ramdev demands

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday convened a meeting of senior ministers to further discuss the demands of Baba Ramdev who is on a hunger strike demanding immediate measures to get back the black money stashed away abroad.

The meeting comes shortly after the Baba took a two-hour break from his protest to discuss issues with government representatives on various issues related to his demands.

Union Ministers P. Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Subodh Kant Sahay, Cabinet Secretary K. M. Chandrasekhar and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T.K. A. Nair were in the meeting called by Mr. Mukherjee in his North Block office.

Meanwhile, back-channel talks are on to resolve the stand-off in the wake of Baba Ramdev’s agitation.

सफदरजंग हवाईअड्डे पर खड़ा है हेलीकॉप्‍टर, रामदेव को हरिद्वार ले जाने की तैयारी

सफदरजंग हवाईअड्डे पर खड़ा है हेलीकॉप्‍टर, रामदेव को हरिद्वार ले जाने की तैयारी

West could learn from India, says Amartya Sen

The Hindu Nobel laureate Professor Amartya Sen. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

Referring to the ongoing debate on dealing with the current economic crisis, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said there was much that Europe could learn from developing countries, notably, the critical link between growth and generation of public revenue.

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has said that the West, which is reeling from the worst post-World War economic crisis, can learn a “few things” from developing countries such as India and China.

Addressing a packed audience at Oxford University’s Said Business School on Friday to mark the launch of the Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professorship, Prof. Sen also highlighted India’s strong democratic credentials saying that the “mantle of democracy is now very much strongly held by India”.

The country was committed to implementing economic reforms within a democratic framework.

Referring to the ongoing debate on dealing with the current economic crisis, he said there was much that Europe could learn from developing countries, notably, the critical link between growth and generation of public revenue.

“I am concerned with what is happening in Europe. There are a few things that they can learn from the developing world; for example, the importance of growth in generating public revenue. Going straight at budget deficit cuts growth,” Prof. Sen said, in an apparent reference to swingeing public spending cuts in Britain.

Paying tribute to late Prof. Lall, regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent development economists, he said his work had had a “truly fantastic” impact.

Other speakers included Robert Wade, professor of Political Economy and Development at the London School of Economics who has been awarded the first Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professorship; and Martin Wolf of the Financial Times.

Patna-born Lall, who died in 2005, came to Oxford as an undergraduate and remained at the university for over 30 years. The chair is funded by the Sanjaya Lall Memorial Fund, whose trustees include Ramnique Lall and Lord Meghnad Desai.

सफदरजंग हवाईअड्डे पर खड़ा है हेलीकॉप्‍टर, रामदेव को हरिद्वार ले जाने की तैयारी

सफदरजंग हवाईअड्डे पर खड़ा है हेलीकॉप्‍टर, रामदेव को हरिद्वार ले जाने की तैयारी

West could learn from India, says Amartya Sen

The Hindu Nobel laureate Professor Amartya Sen. Photo: Arunangsu Roy Chowdhury

Referring to the ongoing debate on dealing with the current economic crisis, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen said there was much that Europe could learn from developing countries, notably, the critical link between growth and generation of public revenue.

Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen has said that the West, which is reeling from the worst post-World War economic crisis, can learn a “few things” from developing countries such as India and China.

Addressing a packed audience at Oxford University’s Said Business School on Friday to mark the launch of the Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professorship, Prof. Sen also highlighted India’s strong democratic credentials saying that the “mantle of democracy is now very much strongly held by India”.

The country was committed to implementing economic reforms within a democratic framework.

Referring to the ongoing debate on dealing with the current economic crisis, he said there was much that Europe could learn from developing countries, notably, the critical link between growth and generation of public revenue.

“I am concerned with what is happening in Europe. There are a few things that they can learn from the developing world; for example, the importance of growth in generating public revenue. Going straight at budget deficit cuts growth,” Prof. Sen said, in an apparent reference to swingeing public spending cuts in Britain.

Paying tribute to late Prof. Lall, regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent development economists, he said his work had had a “truly fantastic” impact.

Other speakers included Robert Wade, professor of Political Economy and Development at the London School of Economics who has been awarded the first Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professorship; and Martin Wolf of the Financial Times.

Patna-born Lall, who died in 2005, came to Oxford as an undergraduate and remained at the university for over 30 years. The chair is funded by the Sanjaya Lall Memorial Fund, whose trustees include Ramnique Lall and Lord Meghnad Desai.

Ramdev’s fast remotely controlled, Cong alleges

The Hindu Baba Ramdev during his fast against corruption. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Congress today targeted Baba Ramdev’s fast alleging it has been “remotely controlled or hijacked” by vested political interests with BJP and RSS and their several frontal organisations trying to destabilise the government through the campaign.

“It is most unfortunate that this common crusade against corruption is allowed to be remotely controlled or hijacked by vested political interests. The nation is aghast to see that BJP, RSS and their frontal organisations, which have repeatedly failed to get popular mandate, are trying to destabilise the government”, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

“By conceiving, controlling and coordinating the movement like the one at Ramlila Maidan, they are destabilising not only the government but the nation”, he said, in almost identical comments of party General Secretary Digvijay Singh who has been sharply critical of the yoga guru.

“What is Sadhvi Rithambara doing there? Sympathisers of RSS and BJP are at Ramlila Maidan and supporting this movement,” said Mr. Singhvi.

“We want to solve the problem but we don’t want any unreasonable and undemocratic steps to be taken,” Mr. Singhvi said when asked why the government was holding talks with Baba Ramdev.

Mr. Singhvi also attacked the “humongous” logistical arrangements at the Ramlila Maidan.

“Apart from private jets, there have been transportation arrangements and five-star facilities in the name of a fast. There is a mini-city within city. Who is financing these logistical operations?” he asked.

The nation “legitimately” wants to know what principles those who are revolting against black money and corruption are adhering to.

Mr. Sighvi emphasised that the UPA government has taken several measures to combat corruption and suggested that its works in this regard was “unparalleled”.

Ramdev’s fast remotely controlled, Cong alleges

The Hindu Baba Ramdev during his fast against corruption. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Congress today targeted Baba Ramdev’s fast alleging it has been “remotely controlled or hijacked” by vested political interests with BJP and RSS and their several frontal organisations trying to destabilise the government through the campaign.

“It is most unfortunate that this common crusade against corruption is allowed to be remotely controlled or hijacked by vested political interests. The nation is aghast to see that BJP, RSS and their frontal organisations, which have repeatedly failed to get popular mandate, are trying to destabilise the government”, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

“By conceiving, controlling and coordinating the movement like the one at Ramlila Maidan, they are destabilising not only the government but the nation”, he said, in almost identical comments of party General Secretary Digvijay Singh who has been sharply critical of the yoga guru.

“What is Sadhvi Rithambara doing there? Sympathisers of RSS and BJP are at Ramlila Maidan and supporting this movement,” said Mr. Singhvi.

“We want to solve the problem but we don’t want any unreasonable and undemocratic steps to be taken,” Mr. Singhvi said when asked why the government was holding talks with Baba Ramdev.

Mr. Singhvi also attacked the “humongous” logistical arrangements at the Ramlila Maidan.

“Apart from private jets, there have been transportation arrangements and five-star facilities in the name of a fast. There is a mini-city within city. Who is financing these logistical operations?” he asked.

The nation “legitimately” wants to know what principles those who are revolting against black money and corruption are adhering to.

Mr. Sighvi emphasised that the UPA government has taken several measures to combat corruption and suggested that its works in this regard was “unparalleled”.

MCI asked to check selective abortions

Concerned at the skewed sex ratio as reflected in the latest Census report, the Centre has asked the Medical Council of India to take cognisance of the practice of illegal sex selection and sex selective abortion.

The MCI has been told to ensure that guidelines for accreditation of training and experience for medical practitioners are put in place quickly. The process of regular reviews with 18 States that have the most adverse sex ratios is also under way.

"The MCI should also make sure that registration of doctors found guilty of violation under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, is suspended or cancelled immediately in accordance with the provisions of the Act," Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said at the first meeting of the newly reconstituted Central Supervisory Board (CSB).

While acknowledging that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was entrusted with the responsibility of preventing the misuse of medical techniques for sex determination, both before and after conception, he said the implementation of the PC & PNDT Act rests with the State governments. "There is need to strengthen implementation structures and systems in the States."

The Minister said the Central government had taken up PC & PNDT as an important focus area under the National Rural Health Mission. "We are providing funds to the States for setting up and strengthening PNDT cells, both at the State and district levels, for intensifying IEC activities and for other State level interventions. We have also put in place a National Inspection and Monitoring Committee with the objective of undertaking surprise inspections across States," he said.

On its part, the Ministry has recently revised the guidelines for giving financial assistance to NGOs for supporting effective enforcement of the PC & PNDT Act. The Minister asked the CSB members to suggest measures to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology and promote the desired changes in socio-cultural values and behaviours.

After the day-long deliberations, the CSB recommended that the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee and the State Monitoring and Inspection Committees be empowered to oversee follow-up action by the District Appropriate Authority on irregularities found during inspections. If required, they could take recourse to Section 28 (b) of the Act which empowered a person other than the DAA to file a case if the DAA failed to take action within 15 days. The CSB also accepted the need for regulating mobile genetic clinics, which were being grossly misused. The MCI representative said detailed framework for accreditation of training and experience would be put in place on priority.

At the meeting, it was reported that according to the quarterly progress reports submitted by States/UTs, 42,190 medical units were registered under the PC&PNDT Act, 298 machines were sealed and seized for violations of the law and a total of 843 court cases filed under the Act and 55 convictions secured.

MCI asked to check selective abortions

Concerned at the skewed sex ratio as reflected in the latest Census report, the Centre has asked the Medical Council of India to take cognisance of the practice of illegal sex selection and sex selective abortion.

The MCI has been told to ensure that guidelines for accreditation of training and experience for medical practitioners are put in place quickly. The process of regular reviews with 18 States that have the most adverse sex ratios is also under way.

"The MCI should also make sure that registration of doctors found guilty of violation under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, is suspended or cancelled immediately in accordance with the provisions of the Act," Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said at the first meeting of the newly reconstituted Central Supervisory Board (CSB).

While acknowledging that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was entrusted with the responsibility of preventing the misuse of medical techniques for sex determination, both before and after conception, he said the implementation of the PC & PNDT Act rests with the State governments. "There is need to strengthen implementation structures and systems in the States."

The Minister said the Central government had taken up PC & PNDT as an important focus area under the National Rural Health Mission. "We are providing funds to the States for setting up and strengthening PNDT cells, both at the State and district levels, for intensifying IEC activities and for other State level interventions. We have also put in place a National Inspection and Monitoring Committee with the objective of undertaking surprise inspections across States," he said.

On its part, the Ministry has recently revised the guidelines for giving financial assistance to NGOs for supporting effective enforcement of the PC & PNDT Act. The Minister asked the CSB members to suggest measures to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology and promote the desired changes in socio-cultural values and behaviours.

After the day-long deliberations, the CSB recommended that the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee and the State Monitoring and Inspection Committees be empowered to oversee follow-up action by the District Appropriate Authority on irregularities found during inspections. If required, they could take recourse to Section 28 (b) of the Act which empowered a person other than the DAA to file a case if the DAA failed to take action within 15 days. The CSB also accepted the need for regulating mobile genetic clinics, which were being grossly misused. The MCI representative said detailed framework for accreditation of training and experience would be put in place on priority.

At the meeting, it was reported that according to the quarterly progress reports submitted by States/UTs, 42,190 medical units were registered under the PC&PNDT Act, 298 machines were sealed and seized for violations of the law and a total of 843 court cases filed under the Act and 55 convictions secured.

CPI backs Ramdev’s agitation against graft

Calling Ramdev’s agitation against graft as a “people’s struggle”, Communist Party of India (CPI) today said the government should concede to his demands.

“I support his (Ramdev’s) demand. I think government should concede whether he is a saint or not. It is not his demand alone. It is demand of the lakhs of workers of the country,” Member of Parliament and General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Gurudas Dasgupta said here on the sidelines of a day-long conference here.

“Ramdev is a religious leader. He is on fast from today. The demand he is raising, I support that,” Mr. Gupta said.

He further said that corruption has reached to a critical point in the country and there has to be constitutional and administrative steps to curb it, particularly in high places.

“Today because he is Baba Ramdev, government seems to be in jitters. But few months back there were lakhs of workers parading the streets of Delhi against corruption and price rise,” he said.

“I think struggle against corruption is a national one. It does not belong to anybody. It belongs to the whole of nation and nation is united on this,” he said.

To a question about the Baba getting into the limelight in the name of a war against corruption, Mr. Gupta said, “nobody can take the limelight; neither Ramdev nor Anna Hazare. It is after all the people’s struggle against corruption that is in the limelight and that is an issue for the nation”.

Referring to a question about union ministers visit to Baba Ramdev, Mr. Gupta said, “it is not correct to say if Ramdev sits there for hunger strike and if four ministers go there with folded hands, he will be in the limelight”.

To a question about RSS support to Baba, the CPI leader said “it is their choice if RSS and BJP support his demand. The problem of corruption is not only affecting Congress but equally to BJP”.

Replying to a question on the Baba taking on Parliament, he said “if a religious leader wants to take on Parliament, it is his choice, we should not feel jealous about it”.

Mr. Gupta said “I only think that it is the government which is responsible for this. Price rise, corruption, disparity in society, job losses, 51 per cent people do not have two meals a day and a family is constructing a palace at a cost of Rs. 8,000 crores in Mumbai, these are all issues that contribute to such a struggle”.

“If anybody is destabilising the country, it is the present government and its policies,” he said.

Maintaining that Baba Ramdev has a right to struggle against corruption, he said anybody can raise the demand to fight against the corruption.

कांग्रेस ने रामदेव के अनशन को निशाना बनाया

कांग्रेस ने बाबा रामदेव के अनशन को निशाना बनाते हुए आरोप लगाया है कि यह अनशन निहित स्वार्थी राजनीतिक हितों के रिमोट से संचालित है. साथ ही भाजपा, आरएसएस और उनके अनेक अग्रिम संगठन अभियान के जरिये सरकार को अस्थिर करने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं.

पार्टी प्रवक्ता अभिषेक मनु सिंघवी ने संवाददाताओं से कहा, ‘‘यह बहुत ही दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है कि भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ इस साझा लड़ाई को निहित राजनीतिक हितों को रिमोट से संचालित करने या हाईजेक करने की इजाजत दे दी गई. राष्ट्र यह देखकर हैरान है कि भाजपा, आरएसएस और उनके अग्रिम संगठन सरकार को अस्थिर करने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं.

उन्होंने कहा कि रामलीला मैदान जैसे आंदोलन की रूपरेखा बनाकर उसे नियंत्रित और समन्वित करके वे न सिर्फ सरकार को बल्कि राष्ट्र को अस्थिर कर रहे हैं.

सिंघवी ने कहा, ‘‘वहां साध्वी ऋतम्भरा क्या कर रही हैं. रामलीला मैदान में भाजपा और आरएसएस के समर्थक हैं और वे इस आंदोलन का समर्थन कर रहे हैं.’’ संवाददाताओं द्वारा यह पूछे जाने पर कि सरकार बाबा रामदेव से बातचीत क्यों कर रही है, उन्होंने कहा, हम समस्या को सुलझाना चाहते हैं, लेकिन हम नहीं चाहते कि कोई कोई अव्यावहारिक और अलोकतांत्रिक कदम उठाया जाये.

सिंघवी ने रामलीला मैदान में किये गये व्यापक इंतजाम पर भी सवाल उठाया, जहां लाखों लोगों के लिए खाने-पीने, रहने के लिए जरूरी सुविधायें उपलब्ध है. उन्होंने कहा कि निजी जेट विमानों के अलावा अनशन के नाम पर परिवहन की व्यवस्था और पांच सितारा सुविधायें हैं. शहर के अंदर एक छोटा-सा शहर. उन्होंने सवाल किया कि इन चीजों के लिए कौन पैसे लगा रहा है.

उन्होंने कहा कि देश यह जानना चाहेगा कि जो लोग कालाधन और भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ बगावत कर रहे हैं वे कौन से सिद्धांत का पालन कर रहे हैं. सिंघवी ने इस बात पर जोर दिया कि संप्रग सरकार ने भ्रष्टाचार से निपटने के लिए अनेक कदम उठाये हैं और साथ ही कहा कि इस मामले में उसका काम अतुलनीय है.

CPI backs Ramdev’s agitation against graft

Calling Ramdev’s agitation against graft as a “people’s struggle”, Communist Party of India (CPI) today said the government should concede to his demands.

“I support his (Ramdev’s) demand. I think government should concede whether he is a saint or not. It is not his demand alone. It is demand of the lakhs of workers of the country,” Member of Parliament and General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Gurudas Dasgupta said here on the sidelines of a day-long conference here.

“Ramdev is a religious leader. He is on fast from today. The demand he is raising, I support that,” Mr. Gupta said.

He further said that corruption has reached to a critical point in the country and there has to be constitutional and administrative steps to curb it, particularly in high places.

“Today because he is Baba Ramdev, government seems to be in jitters. But few months back there were lakhs of workers parading the streets of Delhi against corruption and price rise,” he said.

“I think struggle against corruption is a national one. It does not belong to anybody. It belongs to the whole of nation and nation is united on this,” he said.

To a question about the Baba getting into the limelight in the name of a war against corruption, Mr. Gupta said, “nobody can take the limelight; neither Ramdev nor Anna Hazare. It is after all the people’s struggle against corruption that is in the limelight and that is an issue for the nation”.

Referring to a question about union ministers visit to Baba Ramdev, Mr. Gupta said, “it is not correct to say if Ramdev sits there for hunger strike and if four ministers go there with folded hands, he will be in the limelight”.

To a question about RSS support to Baba, the CPI leader said “it is their choice if RSS and BJP support his demand. The problem of corruption is not only affecting Congress but equally to BJP”.

Replying to a question on the Baba taking on Parliament, he said “if a religious leader wants to take on Parliament, it is his choice, we should not feel jealous about it”.

Mr. Gupta said “I only think that it is the government which is responsible for this. Price rise, corruption, disparity in society, job losses, 51 per cent people do not have two meals a day and a family is constructing a palace at a cost of Rs. 8,000 crores in Mumbai, these are all issues that contribute to such a struggle”.

“If anybody is destabilising the country, it is the present government and its policies,” he said.

Maintaining that Baba Ramdev has a right to struggle against corruption, he said anybody can raise the demand to fight against the corruption.